Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 19, Number 306, Decatur, Adams County, 28 December 1921 — Page 1

Volume XIX. Number 306

TRI KAPPA DANCE GREATLY ENJOYED Proved Crowning Social Event of Year 1921 in the City of Decatur MUSIC WASEXCELLENT And Parker Colored Orchestra Won New Friends— Decorations Beautiful. The tropical dance given Tuesday evening in the Masonic hall by the members of the Tri Kappa sorority proved the most delightful social affair held in this city during the year 1921. The hall and club rooms were filled with friends of the organization and those who did not care to dance were delightfully entertained by the excellent music furnished by the Parker colored orchestra, of Columbus, Ohio, and this organization which had visited this city on previous occasions, left this morning for Columbus, leaving many new admirers in Decatur. On former occasions a four-piece orchestra had been sent here, but last evening there were six musicians, and Mr. Parker accompanied the organization, himself. In speaking of the excellent time after the dance, he remarked that it was his first visit to Decatur, but hereafter when his orchestra came, he would come along, and every member of the organization voiced his sentiments in praising Decatur people, and especially the members of the sorority. The hall was decorated very artistically in streamers, in drop-ceiling effect, the color being a pale yellow, which gave a moon-glow to the hall. At each light were hung branches with long, black moss and creamy moon flowers. Green and red parrots were perched here and there, while at each end of the room was a live parrot, in his cage. Other decorations were in harmony, and the setting was most beautiful. Previous to the first dance Mttie Hottentot dolls were given as favors and the jolly crowd of dancers had much pleasure with their possessions. The grand march started at 9 o’clock, and was led by Miss Celia Andrews and Mr. Jesse Cole, and from that time on until after 1 o'clock the excellent music kept the dancers on their toes. The ladies of the Eastern Star served, a luncheon in the dining room of the Masonic home, and everything had been cleverly arranged for the comfort and pleasure of the dance attendants by the committee in charge. It was a great evening, and the guests did not leave without informing the members of the sorority of the fact. Many out-of-town people were here fcr the event, some of them coming especially for the dance, while ethers happened to be here for the holiday vacation. HOLIDAY CRIME WAVE United Pre** •*ervh*r. . , New York, Dec. 28 —(Specie Daily Democrat)—New York's hoh day 1 week crime wave swept on todaj. Charles Hayes, salesman, was beaten to death in a Brooklyn s-tuet by three bandits. Bernard Kelly was arrested after a police chase over roofs, charged wit- 1 boring a small hole in a show win dow and abstracting fur coats. MUST HAVE PLATES Automobile and truck driveis must have their 1922 license plates if they drive their machines upon the S,IU and highways after January 1 lators will be promptly arrested by local and state police officials. 11- 11 * •’ have been issued now for days, and there is no congestion a the secretary of state’s office, as ias been the case in former year s. JOE REYNOLDS. 306-3 t Marshal. REVIVAL AT ANTIOCH The revival meeting begins at the Antioch church west of this city n tX Saturday evening, Dec. 31st, ait i a watch meeting. The evangels • • A. Wright and wife, are expected to be here for the first service. L' * a that can, plan to attend the " ,aa i night meeting, also the revival, especially urge the people of 1 community and those of our sise churches to rally to this Satin 1 a. evening service and let us spent ' last few hours of 1921 together vor shlping God. Let us pray for this revival. Everybody is welcome.

DECATUR DAILY DEMOCRAT

"SHEIK” FILM IS LOST. At 2 o’clock this afternoon Messrs. Spray and McCormick of the Crystal and Mecca theatres, were compelled to announce that the “Sheik” film advertised for today ami tomorrow' had been lost somewhere in shipment to this city and that the show for today had to be called off. The Indianapolis office of the film company, over the phone announced that another would be sent immediately to this city and the show will be given tomorrow with a matinee at the Crystal and at both theatres in the evening. The Messrs. Spray and McCormick regret very much that the film did not arrive and will do their best to take care of the people tomorrow'.

PAID TRE RILLS County Commissioners Met in Final Session of Year At Auditor’s Office AND ALLOWED CLAIMS County Council Called for January 6th--New Board Meets January 2nd. The board of county commissioners, Robert Schwartz, Grant Owens and Ernst Conrad, met at the Auditor’s office this morning in what was the final session of the board for the year, 1921. Claims against tne county were checked and bills were allowed and the commissioners authorized the auditor to call a special session of the county council for Friday, Jami ary 6, 1922. Those bills not allowed by the commissioners for the want of sufficient money in the different funds will be carried over until the county council meets and appropriates enough money for their payment.

Mr. Owens Retires. With the adjourning of the meeting today, Grant Owens, commissioner from the second district practically retiree trom Uie board. oitice ex pirnig on December 31, 1921. He will be succeeded by B. F. Breiner of Washington townshjp. Mr. Owens has made a good commissioner and has served his district with credit. He has been on the board the past two years and has the honor of being the only republican commissioner elected in Adams county. A Busy Session. The first meeting of the new board which will be composed of Robert Schwartz. Ernst Conrad and B. F. Breiner will be a busy one. On Monday, January 2nd they will probably visit the County Infirmary and be the guests of Harry P. LaFountain, superintendent of the Infirmary and will assist in taking the annual invoice of the stock, grain and equipment on the County Farm. Another important duty to fall on the new board will be the appointing of a highway superintend ent. The last legislature passed a law giving the office of county highway superintendent a term of font years and it is understood several men are applicants for the appoint ment. Jim A. Hendricks is the present highway superintendent and it was stated that at least a half dozen other men are after the job. Tuesday is Road Day. Tuesday, January 3rd, will be road day with the commissioners. Action on several petitions for new roads will be taken. Hearings will be held on the building of a new roads, including the Johnson road in Washington and Monroe townships, the Shoemake' road in Wabash township and it is understood that several remonstrances will be filed against these two improvements. Final action in the matter will be up to the county commissioners.

WILL WORK TOGETHER. Washington, Dec. 28,-(Special to Daily Democrat). —Eugene,X. freed socialist leader, and Samue Gompers, president of the American federation of labor, have buried past differences and will work together for general amnesty for political prisoners. Gompers indicated in a statement to the United Press today. WILL PROBATED. qnangler Effie Bowers, Samuel. Spangler, qhackley. Blanche Jennie and Bertha Shacsi u county was named executor.

Decatur, Indiana, Wednesday Evening, December 28, 1921.

DIVORCE IS GIVEN Io Mrs. Harold S. McCormick, Daughter of Famous John I). Rockefeller DESERTION IS CHARGE Husband is Head of International Harvester Co.Settle Out of Court. Chicago, Dee. 28—(Special to Daily Democrat).—Mrs. Harold S. McCormick, daughter of John D. Rockefeller, divorced her multimillionaire husband today. Mrs. McCormick and her attorney slipped into circuit court unheralded shortly before noon and was granted a divorce on grounds of desertion after a hearing of fifty minutes. Mrs. McCormick was put no the witness stand and in answer to questions of her attorney Charles Cutting stated that McCormick deserted her in Switzerland in 1918. “Did he give any reasons for leaving you?” asked Attorney Cutting. “He gave none,” Mrs. McCormick answered. McCormick was represented at the hearing by Clarence Darrow noted attorney. After Mrs. McCormick testified and filed her bill Darrow and other attorneys signed a bill in behalf of their cliant admitting the charges. The petition filed by MrsMcCormick made no mention of a property settlement the assumpting being that there was a settlement outside of court. Two maids of McCormick corrobated the testimony of Mrs. McCormick. They both stated that the head of the International Harvester company left his wife without provocation and for a time refused to contribute to her support. McCormick was not in court. Neither was Muriel, the daughter. The McCormicks were married in 1895 and the wedding united two of the largest fortunes in the United ■‘♦firtes. RED MEN INITIATE. Decatur Red Men will initiate several candidates into the adoption and chief's degree at their hall this evening. A “heap big time” is promised, and all Indians are asked to be on hand.

THE FIRST ANNUAL Adams County Purdue Club Had Great Time at Banquet Last Night AT HOTEL MURRAY Speeches by Students and Former Students- —C. W. Knapp Toastmaster. The first annual banquet of the Adams County Purdue club was held Tuesday evening at 7 o’clock at the Murray hotel, Mrs. Kohn, in charge of the cafateria serving an excellent dinner to thirty-five people who are now or have been students at the university. Charles W. Knapp was toastmaster, and excellent after-dinner speeches were made by L. E. Elliott, of Indianapolis, state president of the Indiana Society of the American Association of Mechanical Engineers, his talk being on engineering, service, etc.; N. II Hopple, a Fort Wayne civil engineer, speaking on the responsibility of the Purdue student to Purdue; L. M. Busche, Adams county agricultural agent: Ed S. Christen, county superintendent of schools; Arveda Rumple, she talking of the educational advantages at Purdue. In her talk Miss Rumple stated there are 300 girls attending the university; that they have organized an athletic association, and have recently been admitted to the National Athletic association. Bryce Thomas told of the present activities at Purdue. The talks were all good, and the banquet and reunion was such a great success that another will be held next year and every year thereafter. Representatives of the alumni oi student body were present from practically' every township in the county. The assembly sang several college songs, and gave many of the yells. There was plenty of enthusiasm and if you were In the vicinity of the hotel last evening, you would probably have been under the impression that the university had been transplanted in Decatur.

»*«***M*v« v O*M4 ♦ THE WEATHER FORECAST • ♦ ♦ ♦♦♦«•♦♦♦« Indiana: Unsettled weather tonight and Thursday, probably local snows In extreme north portion, colder in northwest |K>rtion tonight. Much colder Thursday, fresh to strong »outhwortt shilling to northwest winds. Upper Michigan: Cloudy and much colder with a cold wave tonight and Thursday. Probably local snows ni north portion. Strong southwest shifting to northwest winds. Lower Michigan: Cloudy tonight and Thursday, probably local snows colder in north portion tonight, much colder Thursday. Strong southwest shifting to northwest winds. TO GIVE BANQUET Alumni at Fort Wayne Will Entertain Tonight for Notre Dame Students DECATUR YOUNG MEN In List--Messrs. Deininger, Ehinger and Hyland Are Among the Guests. Complimentary to the twenty-four Fort Wayne young men who are students at the University of Notre Dame where they formed the “Fort Wayne Club” the local Notre Dame Alumni club will give a banquet at the Chamber of Commerce this evening at 6:30 o'clock. John W. Eggeman, president of the Alumni, will preside as toastmaster. Joseph Haley is secretary of the Alumni and C. Byron Haley is chairman of the banquet committee. Covers will be laid for fifty guests. The honored guests of the evening are: Aaron H. Huguenard, Edward I. Baker, E. Leslie Logan, Edward J. Lennon, Maurice Boland, Richard Deininger, Richard P. App, Arthur P. Hyland, Clifford B. Ward, Robert K. Gordon. Elmo J. Ehinger, Frank S. Doriot, Herman Centlivre, Edgar Welch, Joseph E. Miller, Ted Hayes, Jerome Arnold, Charles McDonald. Joseph O. Welsh, Raymond Stephen, Donald McDonald, Sebastian Miller, Joseph Luley, George Hamilton, Stephen Moylan.—Fort Wayne Journa l Gazette. LEW SHANKS BUSY. Indianapolis, Dec. 28. —(Special to Daily Democrat).—Lew Shanks announced last night he will eliminate useless police officers from the force and substitute patrolmen for them wherever necessary after he becomes mayor, January 2. Thirteen officers will be reduced to the ranks and five officers will be eliminated entirely from the poF.ce system without substituting patrolmen for them. Shank said this will save $13,301 a year in salaries and "is only a start of weeding out of official titles in the police department.”

WILSON IS HAPPY Ex-President Celebrates His Sixty-fifth Birthday in Usual Quiet Way AND IS GRATIFIED By Expressions from Thousands of Friends Who W rite and Wire Him. (United i’rew. Service). Washington, D. C„ Dec. 28 (Special to Daily Democrat)—Masses of letters and telegrams swept in on exPresident Wilson today, his 65 th birthday. They brought messages of cheer to the man who had gone down into a political defeat which had broken his health and his heart. Wilson was gratified. He passed the day without special observance of the new milestone, and followed in the main the routine of his days—reading, writing, riding, exercise. The birthday found the former executive in better health than had been his lot for many months, and with a mind as keen and clear as ever. There was a deal of satisfaction for him in expressions of faith in his post-war course. Though he is studiously refraining from participating in any way in domestic or international politics of the present politics which link themselves in ono way or another with the things he undertook as president.

WIFE IS SLAYER Os Her Brutal Husband as She Receives Message That Her Father is Dying RIDDLES HIS BODY As He Attempts to Prevent Her Using Telephone-Po-lice Take Charge. Indianapolis, Dee. 28.—(Special to Dally Democrat). —Mrs. Florence Simmons, 21, riddled her husband's body with bullets today as a message came over their telephone wire that her father was dying in Louisville. In a straight-forward story to police who found the body of James Simmons. 30, lying in a pool of blood at the home, the young wife declared her husband was a moral pervert and had threatened her life many times during the night. According to the story she told police, her husband came at her with a revolver and she rushed to the telephone to summons help. As she picked up the receiver, a voice on the oth er end of the wire told her of her father's condition in Ixnilsville. The husband was at her side then, she said and she knocked the gun from his hand. In the struggle that ensued she obtained the gun and fired “two or three times.” Four bullets entered the body, the coroner said upon investigation. One pierced the abdomend, one through the breast, one through the head in front of the right ear. NEW YORK SCARED. New York, Dec. 28.— (Special to Daily Democrat). —A wood Alcohol scare swept New York today follow--1 ing deaths from poison holiday liquor. Two victims were blinded and two are in hospitals hoverings between life and death from drinking bootleg intoxicants. Many others were temporarily affected. BEN HUR NOTICE On account of the heavy rain on ■ Friday of last week, the Ben Hurs postponed the election of officers tinI til Friday evening of this week. All members are requested to be present and assist in th eelection. Refreshments will be served after the meeting > • MANY BANKRUPTS 1 I Referee Sheridan Heard Cases at Fort Wayne in ’ Federal Building > ________ ’ FARMERS IN LIST Indebtedness is 33 Percent. Greater Than in Former Years, He States. “More bankruptcy cases have been ' filed in the last five or six weeks than in any three months before in all my three years’ experience as federal referee in bankruptcy,” de- > dared Harry C. Sheridan of Frankfort, in an exclusive interview with a representative of The JournalGazette last night. Judge Sheridan, * who acts as referee in 52 counties in northern, eastern and central Indiana, heard ten bankruptcy cases at the federal building here yesterday. “In the last five or six weeks,” Mr. Sheridan said, "150 to 160 cases have been filed in my district, in times f of normal prosperity there would not be over 40 in the same period. A 3 very large number of the failures are farmers, big and little.” ° “The indebtedness in the average 1 case,” the referee continued, "is also h much greater than formerly. I think the average case will show an in- . debtedness 33 percent, greater. This q Is due to the failure of so many I farmers who usually are not thrown , into bankruptcy until they are pretty heavily involved." r Mr. Sheridan heard yesterday the (I cases of Rex Morton, Fort Wayne (I grocer; Orrin H. McCoy, Allen county 8 farmer: Ben Falk, Fort Wayne merchant; Silas H. Adams, Portland h farmer; H. Melvin Jordan, of Porte land; Noble W. Gray, Garrett dealer; i- George C. Steele, Decatur, grocer; i. Albert W. Palmer, Allen county - farmer; Truly S. Bawer, Bluffton fine n stock breeder, and F. G. Sprague & g Company, Fort Wayne brokers.—Fort Wayne Journal-Gazette.

BASKETBALL GAME TONIGHT. The basketball game to be staged nt the Athletic hall tonight between the local high school varsity and the fast C. C. H. S. outfit of Fort Wayne, promises the fans some real excitement in this line. The visitors journey to this city with only one defeat so far this season and promise the locals the battle of their lives. The locals have also suffered but one defeat and are out to continue their good work by turning the game into a victory. In the preliminaries the St. Joe Bth grade team will play the Central Bth grade team and the sth grade boys will play the 6th grade boys. Although this game is not on the schedule, the holders of season tickets will be admitted as usual. DAVIS BUYS STOCK Steele Stock of Groceries and Fixtures Sold at Public Sale Today by TRUSTEE C. A. BURDG Two Bids Filed-Stock Will Be Replenished and Business Will Be Continued. Trustee in Bankruptcy Charles A. Burdg, at 10 o’clock this morning sold the stock of goods and fixtures of the George C. Steele grocery to Owen Davis, of Bluffton. There were but two bids filed, the other being filed by John Mosure, former county auditor. The stock had been advertised for sale today by an order of Referee in Bankruptcy Sheridan, district federal representative, several weeks ago after a hearing on the petition at Fort Wayne. Charles A. Burdg was named receiver at that time, and at another meeting Tuesday. Mr. Burdg was named trustee in bankruptcy, and authorized to take charge of the sale today. An invoice of the goods was some thing over $2,100, and the sale today was made at a little less than the invoice. the trustee and the purchaser thinking ft best not to announce the price. Mr. Davis is no stranger to Decatur people, having at one time been employed in the Erie railroad office, and later as a conductor on the Fort Wayne -Decatur traction line. For the past year or so he has been an employe of the Bay Piano company at Bluffton, and at odd times had assisted in the Cook grocery at Bluff ton, and he has had considerable experience in the grocery line. He is a son-in-law of Mr. and Mrs. D. H. Hunsicker of West Monroe street, and he and Mrs. Davis will move to Decatur as soon as a house can be secured The grocery will be thoroughly renovated and cleaned, and will be completely restocked, and a model store conducted. It is expected the place will be opened in ten days or two weeks. Due announcement will be made in the papers concerning the opening date. FARMERS MEET SATURDAY Annual Meeting of Adams County Farmers Ass'n at Decatur The officers of the Adams County Farmers’ Association have completed arrangements for the annual meeting to be held next Saturday afternoon. December 31, in the court room at Decatur. Maurice Douglas, former secretary of the Indiana Federation of Farmers’ Associations and now a member of the Public Service Commission of Indiana, has been secured to speak to the assembly. W. H. Settle of Petroleum, district director of the Indiana. Federation of Farmers Associations will also speak. At this meeting will occur the regular annual election of officers for 1922. The Poe quartet has been engaged to furnish music at the meeting and an Interesting and liiptnictlve meeting Is predicted. The organization Is now planning for the annual membership drive to take place during the first part of January. RECEPTION POSTPONED The reception announced for this evening ut the Presbyterian church for Rev. and Mrs. A. H. Saunders has been postponed indefinitely because of the illness of the Rev. Saunders, he being confined to his bed because of a severe cold. Announcement concerning the reception will be made later. Rev. and Mrs. Saunders had intended leaving on Monday for Denver, but their departure will probably be delayed.

Price 2 Cents

FRANCE REFUSES TO MEET HUGHES On Submarine Proposition, Efforts End in Failure at Today’s Meet OF THE CONFERENCE Other Countries Also Claim Right to Build As Many Submarines as Needed. Washington. Dec. 28. —(Special to Dally Democrat). —The effort by the arms conference to limit the use of submarines ended in failure today when France flatly turned down the American program. The discussion of submarine limitation is now definitely dosed, members of the American delegation declared. The French government demanded a minimum of 90,000 tons in submarines in today's session of the navy limitation committee. This was done on instructions just received from Paris. The American delegates pessimistic statement of "no hope” for a compromise on the submarine controversy came directly after a conference of the full American delegation and as the conferees were assembling in the pan American building for the naval committee meeting. The French attitude brought expressions of regret from Arthur Balfour representing the British and from the Italian and Japanese delegations. The British, Italians and Japanese served notice that if France would not agree to a reduction of submarine tonnage they would insist on being free to build as many submarines as they needed. The committee left the matter in that state. An American delegate said that there can be no reopening of the subject at this conference due to the French attitude. An attempt will now be made to get an agreement for limiting the size of auxiliary craft and the calibre of guns which can be carried. The French delegation accepted the 175,000 tons to capital ships alloted under the 5-5-3 scale but made a condition as to replacement and duration which however, does not disrupt the battleship program. Besides asking 90,000 tons of submarines the French asked 330,000 tons of auxiliary craft. PROMPT IN PAYMENT. The supreme Tribe of Ben Hur is very prompt in paying death claims to beneficiaries In this city. Mrs. Mary Artman, scribe for the local court, receiving checks for three death claims in less than a week after the proofs had been sent to the home office at Crawfordsville, and has paid to the following beneficiaries the sums named: Orlando Springer, $900; Charles Miller, $1,000; Philip Meihls, SI,OOO. The beneficiaries are very grateful to the officers of the order for the prompt payment of the claims. . • NO SERVICE TONIGHT. Dr. Burt Mangold this morning received a message from the Rev. J. Edward Smith at Payne. 0., that because of the serious illness of his wife, he could not fill his appointment to preach a trial sermon to the members of the Christian church here tonight. The nature of Mrs. Smith’s illness was not stated, but it is expected the Rev. Mr. Smith will come here as soon as his wife's condition will permit. Due announcement will be made of the meeting. DR. LITTLE DIED TODAY Wabash, Ind., Dec. 28—(Special to Daily Democrat)—Dr. Charles Little, 76, died suddenly at his home here today. He hud held the position of moderator of the Presbyterian churches of America and is the best known pastor of his denomination. He is survived by a wife, two sons. Rev. Robert Little of Fort Wayne and George Little of Akron, Ohio, and one daughter, Mary, who lives here. DAUGHTER ARRIVES. Telegrams received in this city today announce the birth of a daughter to Mr. and Mrs. Karl Groves of Okmulgee, Okla., which read: Peggy Joyce, a fine girl arrived at 9:30 Tuesday morning; everybody fine. e . Clyde Lacey of Eaton attended the Tri-Kappa Tropical dance last night at the Masonic hall.